Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Here at Sagebrush, we believe that community is essential for growth in the life of a Follower of Christ. We believe this because it is what Scripture teaches. We were not meant to live our lives alone. We were meant to share our lives with each other. This includes every area of our lives. Galatians 6 reminds us that not only are we to share our joys with each other; we were also meant to share our pain, hardships, and burdens.
In Galatians 6, the apostle Paul encourages believers to look out for each other. "Share each other's burdens," he writes (verse 2). One big way that we, as believers, can do this is to tell each other what is happening in our lives. We can tell others about the monsoons we are facing and ask for prayer and help. In doing this, we are inviting people to be a part of our lives and carry each other's burdens. Having someone help carry your burdens and share in your burdens makes a huge difference, doesn't it? It makes the burden lighter and reminds us that we are not alone. Who can you turn to who can help you to carry your burden? Share your struggles with them. Ask them for prayers and help.
Not only are we to invite people to share in our burdens, but we are also to help others in their own burdens. We are called to carry the burdens of others. As we do this, we can lighten the loads that other people are carrying. Who do you know who is carrying a heavy burden? Maybe you know someone who is going through a very difficult time in their lives. How can you reach out to them and help them carry that burden they are carrying right now? Take some time today to see how you can best help that person face the monsoon they are currently facing.
Be sure to join us in our weekend services this week. Come and worship Christ, even in the pain you are currently facing. This will help you remember that Christ is making everything new. If you would like extra prayer, find a pastor or leader to share your burden with and allow them to pray for you. Let them help carry the burden you are facing.
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
